The Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has urged Imams and Alfas to use their good offices to reach out to Muslims across the State on the commencement of 2024 Hajj and the need to promptly make deposits before December 31, 2023.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Dauda Salau stated this at a sensitisation programme for the League of Imams and Alfas, held at Ijebu, Egba and Remo zones respectively, saying they are major stakeholders who should be intimated on the modalities for the exercise.
Alhaji Salau, according to the Board’s Press Officer, Lateefhat Ayoola, noted that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed all States in the country to ensure that N4.5 million hajj deposit would close by 31st of December 2023 pending the time the final Hajj fare would be announced, adding that failure to comply could lead to NAHCON reducing the number of slots allocated to such State.
He assured the Muslim Ummah of the State government’s readiness to put in place necessary arrangements for a hitch-free hajj exercise, saying, “The N4.5million naira hajj deposit apart from taking care of logistics shows the commitment of the intending pilgrims while the final Hajj fare to be announced by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) would complete other essential requirements that would make the holy pilgrimage a seamless operation”.
Alhaji Salau added that the issuance of visas to intending pilgrims would commence from March 1st to April 29, 2024, almost 50 days before Arafat.
The OGMPWB boss, therefore, implored all intending pilgrims to hasten up their hajj deposit as it would show their readiness for 2024 hajj registration and enable them to secure hajj seats.
Contributing, Consultant to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Wakeelul Musilmeen of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta, Sheik Iskeel Lawal, commended the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alh. Salau Dauda, in his efforts towards ensuring smooth hajj operations in the State, enjoining the Imams and Alfas to spread the news across to the Muslim Ummah when they got to their various Mosques and communities.
In their separate remarks, Mufti of Ogun State Muslims, Sheik Mikhail Shile Rufai, a former Board Chairman, Sheik Tajudeen Ashaye and the Eketa Adinni of Ijebuland, Alhaji AbdulWahab Adeniyi, appreciated the State government for the successful Hajj arrangements done in the past and pledged their supports towards ensuring a hitch-free Hajj exercise in the coming year, advising the Board to be upright in their dealings with pilgrims.
